Link between animal abuse and partner violence part of B.C. police course
New training for police officers in B.C. is helping to bridge the gap between intimate partner violence (IPV) and the impact it can have on animals.
According to a news release on Monday from the B.C. SPCA, the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General has launched an online course that’s meant to help officers identify the risks of domestic violence, such as the perpetrators’ behaviour towards animals.
“The link between animal abuse and domestic violence has been well documented,” Louise Lathey of the B.C. SPCA’s prevention and enforcement department said in the press release.
In addition to the training course, animal abuse factors will also be added as a risk identification tool for officers to use when conducting an investigation of a domestic violence call.
“It’s important for us to look at situations holistically and you can’t address animal issues without looking at the whole picture of how humans interact with animals,” Lathey said.
The SPCA also provides free emergency pet boarding for those fleeing from unsafe home environments and is in the process of developing an expanded foster network to care for pets of those who are seeking to leave a violent relationship.
“Responding to IPV is a shared responsibility across the province, public health, and social and community sectors, and it’s important that we work together to ensure survivors receive the care they deserve,” said Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general, in the press release.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza, prompting Israel to say it would send a delegation to negotiate – though it warned the proposal remained far from the 'necessary requirements.'
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to quash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Manitoba Court of Appeal dismisses Peter Nygard's appeal of extradition order
The Manitoba Court of Appeal has dismissed Peter Nygard's application for a judicial review of an order to extradite the former fashion mogul to the United States, where he faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer's disease
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
B.C. court date set for 3 accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three suspects accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year are scheduled to appear in court in Surrey on Tuesday.